Unpredictable Lincecum  —  Even two-time Cy Young Award winners have to adapt, and Tim Lincecum has.  —  The main headline from his shutout of the Mets on Thursday was his control.  He threw 77 strikes and 33 balls.  Beyond that, though, Lincecum delivered on his goal of being less predictable.

Billingsley rocked but undaunted  —  Despite giving up seven runs in four innings, righty doesn't feel he pitched badly … ST. LOUIS — In the city where Yogi Berra was born and raised, it initially sounded like a case of deja vu all over again.  But upon further review …

Red Sox are now over the luxury tax threshold  —  According to a major league source, the Red Sox have found out in the last few hours that they they have indeed gone over the luxury tax threshold for 2010 which will also affect their payroll for 2011.  —  This is not the best of news …

Rangers ride Molina's cycle to win in Boston  —  Catcher hits tie-breaking slam, completes feat with rare triple  —  BOSTON — The Rangers, after their July 1 trade with the Giants, had won only once in seven games with Bengie Molina behind the plate before the All-Star break.

Finger blister forces Wood back to DL  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians made a move involving closer Kerry Wood, but it wasn't the pre-Deadline trade so many are anticipating.  —  Rather, Wood was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 12, with a blister on his right index finger.

New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter says he was unaware of scheduling of Bob Sheppard's funeral  —  The Yankees included a tribute to Bob Sheppard in their pregame homage to George Steinbrenner before Friday night's game, but also confirmed that no players attended any part of the funeral …

Did Jim Konstanty deserve the 1950 MVP?  —  Thanks to the fantastic latest updates from Retrosheet and Baseball Reference, I am able to find out something I've wondered about a long time: Did Jim Konstanty lead the National League in Win Probability Added in 1950?

Konerko: Sox don't need outside help to keep rolling  —  MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox general manager Ken Williams is no stranger to pulling a veteran aside near the trade deadline and asking him, “What do you think about me adding so-and-so?”  —  As of Friday, he hadn't yet approached Paul Konerko …

Beloved Berra misses Old-Timers Day after falling at home … NEW YORK (AP) — Yogi Berra is missing Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium after taking a fall at home.  —  Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo says that the 85-year-old Hall of Famer has some bruises after the accident Friday in Montclair, N.J., but was OK.

Strasburg pitches Nationals past Marlins 4-0  —  MIAMI—Stephen Strasburg struggled through a 34-pitch first inning but escaped early jams to lead the Washington Nationals past the Florida Marlins 4-0 Friday night.  —  Strasburg (4-2) allowed two baserunners in each of the first three innings …